Watermaker Panel

Yes, the watermaker panel arrived and Mike put it together and installed it in the galley.  Some of the lines have been run, but not all.  So it is not ready to be tested.  The panel allows us to monitor and control the water production (using the Kubota or "Frankengen" engine and reverse osmosis).  Reverse osmosis involves drawing in salt water from the ocean and running it through a filter to get rid of large particles.  Then it uses high pressure to force it through a molecular sieve to separate the salt water (the total dissolved solids) and produce drinking water ("RO" water).  There are many commercially available watermaker systems on the market, but Mike preferred to make his own.  This way he understands exactly how it was put together and where he can get parts.

On the back side of the panel, you can see the pressure gauge connections on the lower right (with an upside down "U"), the turquoise color hose on the lower left is for the brine flow meter connection (the salt water coming in to the watermaker), the blue and red wire connectors are for the TDS (total dissolved solids) monitor, which lets us know when the water is pure enough to drink and can start filling our tanks.  The white tube is product water (drinking water) from the flow meter and runs to the selection valve for choosing whether to dump overboard or to fill the tanks (once the TDS is low enough). 

Back of watermaker panel

This is the panel from the front, installed in the galley on the bulkhead that backs to the engine room.  The tube on the left is the product flowmeter and the one on the right is the brine flowmeter.  It tells how many gallons per minute are being pushed through the system.  The rectangular meter at the top is the TDS meter.  The red toggle switch turns the pump clutch on and allows us to flush fresh water through the system when we're done making water (cleansing for the next use).  There is a small meter in the center that tells us how many hours the pump has been used. 

The round gauge at the lower left is to measure membrane pressure.  The knob on the lower right is to regulate the membrane pressure.  And between those two is the test/tank selector valve for directing the output (overboard or to the tanks), as mentioned earlier.

Front of watermaker panel

Does this all make sense? 

We also have done smaller projects such as making a "look bucket", a cover for the outboard, and deciding on fabric and ordering foam and fabric for the three cushions around the table/dinette.  Once these turn out successfully (*cough*), we'll order foam and fabric for other areas where it is needed.  The foam was ordered from The Foam Factory in Michigan.  What's nice about this place is if you order it with the dacron wrap, they will even wrap it and staple it for you, so it is ready to go. 

And of course, the never-ending deck refurbishment project continues.  But there is a light at the end of the tunnel.  Most of the decking has been refurbished from the stern forward.  We are just finishing the starboard side up to the point where the boards we have left all are caulked (touching) to the king board on the foredeck.  This last big part of the project will require removing the anchor windlass and toe button.  When we decide to do that project, you will see more decking pictures.